Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs will be facing some high expectations in his NBA career. We suspect that he’ll make good on them. Just watching Wembanyama feels like living in an alternate reality. He has abilities at his size that we’ve seldom seen in an NBA player.
Of course, every number one pick comes with expectations. They don’t all live up to them. Even a big man with unique abilities can fall short of expectations.
Has Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves met expectations? That’s a difficult call to make. He’s been an elite offensive player, but he hasn’t led the Wolves to a lot of playoff success. Could they trade him to the Spurs?
The Trade Proposal
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: F Doug McDermott, G Devonte’ Graham, F Reggie Bullock, G/F Devin Vassell, 2025 First-Round Pick (ATL via SAS), 2026 First-Round Pick (SAS), 2027 First-Round Pick (ATL via SAS)
San Antonio Spurs Receive: F/C Karl-Anthony Towns
Are the expectations around Wembanyama fair? It’s a good question. On the one hand, how are we supposed to mitigate those expectations? We watch prospects and evaluate their potential. Wembanyama’s potential is undeniable.
On the other hand, there’s room for change in the discourse. Wembanyama has limitless potential. Still, suggestions that anything short of a top-5 all-time career would be a disappointment are shortsighted.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves & San Antonio Spurs Updates
Wembanyama doesn’t have to clear that bar. He does need to be a star player – anything less than that would be an unqualified disappointment. Does adding Towns help him reach his potential?
Why The San Antonio Spurs Do The Deal
Well, why has Towns arguably failed to meet expectations? It starts on the defensive end of the floor. Towns is a liability. He was a liability on the interior, so the Timberwolves acquired Rudy Gobert to cover for him. Now, he’s a liability on the perimeter.
Perhaps acquiring Gobert was never the way to minimize his defensive limitations. Towns may do better alongside an exceptionally long weak side shot blocker. In other words, a player like Wembanyama.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves & San Antonio Spurs Updates
This duo makes a lot of sense. Wembanyama’s jumper is likely to be shaky at the beginning of his career. Pairing him with the best shooting big in the league makes as much sense as pairing Towns with a potentially elite help defender. Should the Wolves help the Spurs assemble that duo?
Why The Minnesota Timberwolves Do The Deal
The Wolves may have picked Towns first overall, but it’s not his team anymore. There’s a new sheriff in town. His name is Anthony Edwards. The younger Edwards is the most important player on this roster. The Timberwolves should do whatever they can to maximize him.
This deal helps them do so. It frees the Wolves up to play at a quicker pace: Edwards won’t have to co-exist with the slow, prodding duo of Gobert and Towns anymore.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves & San Antonio Spurs Updates
Does it hurt them next season? Perhaps. It’s a talent downgrade. Still, Vassell is already an impactful player and he’s got room to grow. Throw in three first-round picks, and this deal could force the Wolves to move on from Towns. Whether he’s met expectations or not.
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